The Czech Rugby League Association has announced a 35-man train-on squad as they prepare to defend the European Bowl for the second successive year. The squad is heavily influenced by the country’s oldest club, Lokomotiva Beroun, which is undefeated in 20 games and supply 11 players to a squad that also reflects the steady progress in local development.
“We are excited to play against such strong opponents in Norway and Ukraine; we are keen to compare ourselves with them in what is going to be probably the biggest international year for Czech rugby league,” said national team captain Petr Sedina.
A number of new, young players have also been called up. Prominent among those will be Hradec Kralove's Ladislav Cintler and Chrudim Angels Marek Pluhar, two young halves who, according to CZRLA Development Manager Andy Mulhall, “are developing into legitimate playmakers” and will be vying with veteran Jan Buben to fill the void left by the departure of incumbent Victor Leeuw.
Pluhar's Angels teammates Vita Caslavka and Jiri Pecina have also forced their way into the squad after impressive efforts for the Second Division league leaders, while Beroun's flying winger Dalibor Smotek is available again this season. Another youngster expected to stake a claim is the 2012 Milan Mrtynek Medallist as man of the match in the Grand Final, Tomas Kristof.
“We understand both games are going to be incredibly demanding,” continued Sedina, “and we expect our final selection to show the passion and spirit so we can keep our heads high regardless of the score at the end of the competition. That is what the CZRLA is about.”
The CZRLA’s preparation will comprise a number of camps and trial matches as the coaching staff work towards a final squad for their opening game in Oslo on 13 July. The squad’s preparations culminate in a match against Serbia U20 in Vrchlabi on 29 June. The Czech Republic hosts Ukraine in the final game of the 2013 European Bowl on 29 September. The winners of the Bowl will be promoted to the 2014-15 European Shield.

It will be interesting to see if the Czechs have improved, AFAIK they haven't played anyone apart from Hungary since 2010 and since then their domestic competition has come on leaps and bounds. Also looking forward to seeing how Ukraine go after a year's absence, they almost beat Serbia in their last match in 2011. I wish there was some way to watch these matches.

The Ukrainian Rugby League Federation (UFRL) has announced a 20-man squad for the opening fixture of the 2013 RLEF European Bowl against Norway in Kharkov on 6th July. Fresh from their historic 26-22 victory over BARLA Young Lions, Artur Martyrosyan’s men will be full of confidence.
They are led by the outstanding player in that match fullback Volodymyr Mashkin, while captain Oleksandr Skorbach will marshal the side from his stand-off position. Up front, the Ukrainians will be spearheaded by Sergii Kravchenko and powerful prop Maksym Miroshnichenko, part of an 11-strong contingent from the Ukrainian champions Legion XIII.
Ukrainian teams have regularly been noted for their peak physical condition and four players - Urii Smolii, Oleksandr Kozak, Mykhailo Troyan and Bogdan Vepryk – hail from an athletics or fitness background, while Donbass Tiger Anatolii Egorov, formerly with Donetsk football club, will add to the squad’s rugged edge.

Head coach Matt South has announced a 38-man initial squad just over a week ahead from Norway’s Rugby League European Bowl match in Ukraine, as their championship heads into a summer break.
"This year’s national squad will most likely consist of several new players, which is very positive and will definitely help us develop as a sport in Norway,” he said. “We are very much looking forward to playing in the European Bowl, it will be a great learning experience.”
Reigning champions Oslo Capitals provide 10 players, having so far dominated the seven-club local competition once again. The likes of Peter Engeland, Cameron Leslie, Anders Linnestå, Erlend Meldalen and Fredrik Skovly have provided the backbone of the Norwegian side since 2010.
“All the players, both current and new, are very excited to represent Norway, especially since rugby league is becoming increasingly popular in our country and in Europe,” continued South. “Both Ukraine and the Czech Republic are very good teams with more experience than us, which we can learn from. “
New club Kristiansand Krusaders from the west of the country is represented by five players after a promising first season, while Flekkefjord supply seven, including experienced campaigner Kristoffer Milligan.

The 2013 European Bowl kicks off tomorrow when Norway face Ukraine in Kharkov’s Dynamo Stadium. It will be the first meeting between the two nations, while Czech Republic joins the competition next week, in Oslo.

UFRL president Artur Martyrosyan is looking forward to the opener. “We are treating this game as a first step to try and qualify for the European Shield,” he said. “Our team has a lot of new, young players but they proved they are worthy to be in the team after their victory over the BARLA Young Lions two weeks ago.”

Ukraine lived up to their pre-tournament favourites tag with a comfortable win against Norway in the opening match of the 2013 European Bowl. The hosts, led by four-try, quicksilver winger Oleksandr Korobov, outscored the visitors by nine tries to two in a first-ever meeting between the two countries.

Coach Gennady Veprik’s charges posted four touchdowns in the opening 15 minutes under a stiflingly hot sun to take charge. The pacy Kolobov claimed two of those in a four minute blitz as the Ukranians looked to push the ball wide at every opportunity.

Kristoffer Håkonsen’s 24th minute score gave the visitors some hope but two further home tries, Koborov completing his treble and one from Vitalii Felkov, made it 28-4 at the break; Sergii Romanko kicking only three goals from nine attempts.

Ukraine scored three more second half tries, including doubles for Mykhailo Troyon and Felkov, while the Norwegians will take heart going into their second game, at home against the Czech Republic on Saturday, after adding two more tries through Isaac Schmidt and Peter Engeland.

“We have been waiting for this game,” said UFRL president Artur Martyrosyan. “Everybody felt a great weight of responsibility for the result and we have worked as a squad for two weeks, checking the game plan and moves and testing the players. After the win over Norway we know we have to beat the Czechs in September if we are to be promoted to the European Shield in 2014.”

Holders the Czech Republic begin the defence of the title they have held for two years on Saturday when they face Norway in Oslo in the second match of the 2013 Rugby League European Bowl.
Norway coach Matt South has brought in six new faces to his 20-man squad, including 36-year-old stand-off Trent Rowan. He is joined by young front row Erik Holdus, a 114kg tyro from the Kristiansand club.
Omar Baghdadi, Sean Casey, Kai Holm and Andreas Thorsen, who played in last week’s 42-14 loss to Ukraine in Kharkiv in game one, miss out.
“We are out to prove a point and stiffen up our defence against the Czechs as we were uncharacteristically very soft against Ukraine,” admitted South “We will be much better with that match under our belt.”
South will be looking for big games from his dependable duo of skipper Isaac Schmidt and Sonny Mellor while Josh Skidmore-Hornby will have the chance to extend his ever-present run to five matches for Norway.
The Czech squad is drawn from eight clubs and is entirely home-grown. The CZRLA is several rounds into its domestic competition, with reigning champions and current league leaders Lokomotiva Beroun supplying six players, including the precociously talented Jan Buben, who player-coach Petr Sedina will hope can spark the Czech attack.
“We are looking forward to playing against hardened rugby league competition in the 2013 Euro Bowl,” said Sedina. “Both teams we meet are imposing opposition; the Norwegians because of the overwhelming advantage they have through the amount of players with rugby league experience both inside and outside of their domestic competition.”
The CZRLA has prepared the squad well, with two domestic trials as well as a hit out against the Serbian Undser-20s in Vrchlabi two weeks ago.
“This is an excellent opportunity for the Czech national team to play tough international opposition and to gain invaluable experience both on and off the field,” said CZRLA Development Manager Mulhall.

Isaac Schmidt led the Vikings to the most significant victory in their history with a shock win against the double defending European Bowl holders.
His offloads constantly troubled the Czechs and his defence top class as he led the Norwegian line.
The visitors were left ruing several lost chances, especially down the right, slick handling getting them to the home line but knocks on or desperate last ditch defence keeping them out.
Both defences were characteristically robust, especially early on, some tackles straying high but the game was played in a good spirit.
After the initial softening up period, a slick back line move saw Norwegian full back Matthew Davidson cut through but he just failed to ground the ball over the line and was denied.
Soon after, though, the hosts were in through Sonny Mellor for an unconverted try but by the 15th minute the sides were level, fellow centre Pavel Zemanek doing likewise for the Czechs.
Davidson made up for his lost opportunity to edge the Noewegians ahead 8-4 but again their lead was shortlived, Ladislav Cintler crossing and Jan Buben goaling to edge the visitors in front.
Seven minutes before the break, Norway were back ahead, winger Magnus Sundsfjord clear on the overlap and round near the posts for Erland Granly Meldalen to convert to make it 14-10 at half time.
On 50 minutes Vita Caslavka levelled but Anders Linnestå’s scoot from close in proved to be the game turner with 13 minutes remaining, Granly Meldalen adding the extras and the Czech’s resorting to panic plays as they saw the game slipping away.
Schmidt gained due reward for his efforts when he strode over with three minutes remaining, Granly Meldalen with his third goal to seal an historic win.
The Czech Republic now have to beat Ukraine by a 20 point margin at home in late September if they are to retain their crown.

Norway has been stripped of their two competition points in the 2013 European Bowl, gained after a home 26-14 win over Czech Republic, for fielding ineligible players.
The five players who played in one or both of their Bowl matches against Ukraine and the Czech Republic - Omar Baghdadi, Sean Casey, Timothy Hackney, Tim Rowan and Isaac Schmidt – have been suspended indefinitely by the Rugby League European Federation Board.
They cannot be named in any future Norway national team squad until their eligibility has been verified.
Czech Republic will face Ukraine at home on 29th September to determine the Bowl winners.

If a player has been in a country for three years but that country has only been playing RL for two years does that player have to wait for another year before being eligible on residency grounds or can he play for them from day one?

If a player has been in a country for three years but that country has only been playing RL for two years does that player have to wait for another year before being eligible on residency grounds or can he play for them from day one?

From day one, to the best of my understanding. Bear in mind the people you describe are likely to be the ones who set it up. That said, the amount of documentation required to prove residency is extensive and can be a problem even if people have legitimately been in the country for that period.

If a player has been in a country for three years but that country has only been playing RL for two years does that player have to wait for another year before being eligible on residency grounds or can he play for them from day one?

From day one, to the best of my understanding. Bear in mind the people you describe are likely to be the ones who set it up. That said, the amount of documentation required to prove residency is extensive and can be a problem even if people have legitimately been in the country for that period.

Is that the situation with these players? If so, that seems very harsh

"As someone who was working with the paperwork for the visas I can confirm all these players are legally eligible to play for Norway. Most have lived here for over 5 years. The problem was that the person who was supposed to get the paper to the RLEF in time didn't do it."

"GUYS, the rules are clearly written out on the RLEF competition rules which was given to Kim Andre and Øystein whats his face from Bodø. It wasnt that these guys were ineligible, it is the fact that these 2 guys sat on their hands for so long that by the time the comp came around it was way too late to organize all the relevant paperwork, leaving you to clean up the mess with no time to do it."

"We are all permanent residents which was proven time and time again, the RLEF also needs to get their ###### together..."

Yanto - or both of the above. A Norwegian admin error and the RLEF planting a flag for the standards required in future competitions. Tough on Norway in the short term but PERHAPS for the best in future events